Introduction
Era is a long and distinct period of history, a system of chronology dating from a particular event. It is usually characterized with memories and landmarks that are not easily forgotten, be it for good or otherwise.
It may also be refers to a point in time, especially when is beginning a new or distinctive period
A. Pre-Redemption Era
In history, these were characterised with many terrible moments of bondage, captivity, rejections, lack and alienation from God and His promises.
[ ] Experiences of desert, dryness and drought ( Isaiah 41:17a,19a- All things were dry for them, their mouth stick to roof of their mouth. No harvest, no produce. Not an era one would desire to remember
“My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death-Psalms 22:15 NIV
At that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.- Eph. 2:12
[ ] Experiences of wilderness, wastelands and wastfeulness- they were wasting away and nothing can be pointed to as blessing for them- Isa.51:3; 27:10
The fortified city stands desolate, an abandoned settlement, forsaken like the wilderness; there the calves graze, there they lie down; they strip its branches bare-Isaiah 27:10 NIV
[ ] Experiences of limitations, lack and liabilities: their lives and communities were full of the lame, the dumb,, the thirsty, the unsecured and terrible things-Isaiah 35:6-7
B. Redemption Era Psalms 111:9; Isaiah 44:22; Ephesians 2:13, 19
• The good news came suddenly, new era erased old order of things.
• Once bad experiences turned a new leaf, there were change of stories for the rejected and desolate people.
• They were brought near to the promises of God-Eph.2:13,19
Psalms 111:9: He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever— holy and awesome is his name.
C. Post Redemption Era
• The redemption in the Old Testament involves deliverance from bondage based on the payment of a price by a redeemer.
• Fundamental to the message of the New Testament is the announcement that Jesus of Nazareth is the fulfilment of Israel’s messianic hope and that, in Him, the long-awaited redemption has arrived.
• Deliverance of humankind from its state of alienation from God has been accomplished through the death and resurrection of Christ.
• In Jesus, the redemption package brought about new leaps. This era is not promisory, it is real, tangible palpable and lasted everlasting for all children of God (know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him-Ecclesiastes 3:14 )
[ ] Era of continuous experience of God of all possibilities:
• Then shall the lame [man] leap as an hart…..and the tongue of the dumb shall sing
• Who else can do such impossible things
• Science and nature defeated as God stepped in
• there were many instances of such persons cured by Christ when here on earth- fulfilment of promises- Matt 15:30-31; 21:14; John 5:7-9
• Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel-Matthew 15:30-31
[ ] Era of continuous experience of God of great transformation-Isaiah 35:6-7
• Who else can do such life transforming experiences but God.
• Bringing about unprecedented changes
• For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert. The parched ground shall become a pool, And the thirsty land springs of water;
• Nothing is beyond what God change including that your situations
Results of New Leaps
• It brings about an amazement (wonders of God)
• It elicits praise unto God
• It produces jumping and singing-Acts 3:1 Acts 3:8
• It gives stability and stamina upon your heights- II Sam.22:34; Psalms 18:33